October 08, 2024

Talsma continues serving as chair of the board of supervisors

Cupples was the person most likely to be rotated to center seat but he declines

Brandon Talsma, a Republican incumbent running for a seat on the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, looks through documents before adding his signature on Nov. 8 inside the supervisors chambers of the county courthouse in Newton.

Brandon Talsma is chairperson of the Jasper County Board of Supervisors for the second year in a row. The newly re-elected supervisor abstained from the vote on Jan. 3 that put him in the center seat of the board and placed fellow county supervisor Doug Cupples in the vice-chair role.

Typically, the board of supervisors rotates its chairpersons at the start of a New Year, allowing every member a chance to lead the board meetings. Cupples, who has served as chairperson in the past, conceded the seat to Talsma. Although it would technically be his turn to serve as chair, he did not want to.

“With everything that’s going on and whatnot, I feel like right now I’m just going to stay where I’m at right here unless Denny (Stevenson) wants to be vice-chair or something like that,” Cupples said. “Is that OK with you guys? There’s no reason for me at this point to make that move.”

When Cupples asked for his fellow supervisors’ opinions, Stevenson said he was fine with it. Cupples then made the motion to keep Talsma as chair.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.